Repression of Women

The repression of women is a prevalent theme in both "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte
Perkins Gilman and "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell. These two literary works explore the different ways in
which women are marginalized and oppressed in their respective societies. This essay will discuss the
theme of repression of women in both works by analyzing the characters, settings, and symbolism.

In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the protagonist is a woman who is suffering from a nervous
condition, which is treated by her husband, a physician, with the prescription of complete rest and
isolation. The woman is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper, which becomes the focal point of her
obsession and ultimately leads to her mental breakdown. The woman is repressed by her husband's
controlling behavior and the patriarchal society that limits her role as a wife and mother. The narrator
describes her husband's behavior, saying, "He is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without
special direction." (Gilman, 2) This quote shows the husband's controlling behavior towards the
protagonist, which limits her freedom and independence.

Similarly, in "Trifles," the female characters are marginalized by the male characters who view
them as insignificant and inferior. The play takes place in the early 20th century, a time when women
had limited rights and were seen as subordinate to men. The female characters are ignored and
dismissed by the male characters who are investigating a murder case. The male characters believe that
women are incapable of contributing anything of value to the investigation, dismissing their opinions
and observations as "trifles." The play highlights the pervasive sexism in society and how it marginalizes
women.

The settings in both works also contribute to the theme of repression of women. In "The Yellow
Wallpaper," the protagonist is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper, which becomes a symbol of
her repression. The wallpaper is described as "repellent, almost revolting; a smoldering unclean yellow."
(Gilman, 6) The wallpaper represents the constraints of patriarchal society that limit women's freedom
and creativity. The protagonist becomes obsessed with the wallpaper, tearing it off the walls, and
eventually becoming trapped in it. The wallpaper symbolizes the constraints of society that trap women,
limiting their potential and creativity.

To complement that, in "Trifles," the setting is a farmhouse that represents the constraints of
society on women. The farmhouse is described as "unkept" and "disorganized," reflecting the idea that
women's work is undervalued and overlooked. The male characters dismiss the female characters'
observations of the farmhouse as insignificant, showing how women's perspectives are marginalized in
society.

Furthermore, the symbolism in both works highlights the theme of repression of women. In
"The Yellow Wallpaper," the protagonist's descent into madness is symbolized by the wallpaper. The
wallpaper represents the constraints of society that limit women's freedom and creativity. The
protagonist's obsession with the wallpaper represents her struggle against these constraints, which
ultimately leads to her mental breakdown. The wallpaper symbolizes the patriarchal society that limits
women's potential.
 Finally, in "Trifles," the dead bird symbolizes the oppression of women in society. The bird
represents the female character who has been silenced and oppressed by her husband. The female
characters recognize the significance of the bird, while the male characters dismiss it as a "trifle." The
dead bird represents the marginalization of women in society and how their voices are silenced and
ignored.

In both works, the male characters are depicted as the oppressors of women. In "The Yellow
Wallpaper," the husband is portrayed as a controlling and oppressive figure who limits the protagonist's
freedom and independence. In "Trifles," the male characters are dismissive and patronizing towards the
female characters, reflecting the pervasive sexism in society. Overall, the theme of repression of women
is a central concern in both "The Yellow Wallpaper" and "Trifles." The works explore the ways in which
patriarchal society limits women's freedom and creativity and the marginalization of their voices and
perspectives. Through the characters, settings, and symbolism, both works provide a critique of the
ways in which women are repressed and oppressed in society. While both works were written in
different time periods, they remain relevant today as the fight for gender equality continues. The works
serve as a reminder that the repression of women is not a thing of the past but a current issue that
needs to be addressed.